March 20, 2010 (Oslo, NOR) – Germany’s Simone Hauswald and Martin Fourcade of France both made it 2-for-2 as they followed up their sprint victories winning Saturday’s 10km and 12.5km Pursuit races respectively in Oslo.

Starting Saturday’s pursuit in 44th place, Tim Burke (Paul Smiths, NY) showed his strength as he moved up twenty places to 24th despite three penalties overall. “That was a great race. Tim’s getting back in shape after his sickness, I am really satisfied with that performance”, said US Biathlon Head Coach Per Nilsson.

Burke didn’t imagine he would manage such a result. “The track was so hard today; it felt more like a 20km than a pursuit. Of course it’s great to move up so many places so now I am looking forward to the Mass Start on Sunday,” said Burke.  Canada’s Brendan Green was the lone Canuck in 29th moving up from 32nd place.

Zina Kocher (CAN) led the North American women finishing in 29th while teammates Megan Tandy and Megan Imrie were 45th and 49th respectively.  For the USA Sara Studebacker finished a solid 50th following her 46th place in Thursday’s sprint. “For how I felt it was a good race. It was a long way to come here and I’m really tired now,” said Studebaker.

“I am satisfied with Sara’s performance. It confirmed the level she’s competing in right now,” said Nilsson.  “We will work a lot on her skiing and especially on her shooting speed over the summer and then I think her goal next season could be top 50.” World Cup racing continues on Sunday with the men’s Mass Start beginning at 11am (EST).

With files from U.S. Biathlon Association

Women’s 10km Pursuit here.
Women’s Biathlon WCup Overall here.

Men’s 12.5km Pursuit here.
Men’s Biathlon WCup Overall here.

Results (brief)

Women
1.    Simone Hauswald (GER) T3 32:05.5
2.    Darya Domracheva (BLR) T1, _5.4
3.    Anna Carin Olofsson-Zidek (SWE) T2, _39.8
29. Zina Kocher (CAN) T2, +3:46.7
45. Megan Tandy (CAN) T4, 5:42.4
49. Megan Imrie (CAN) T8, +6:33.2
50. Sara Studebaker (USA) T4 +6:34.0

Men
1.    Martin Fourcade (FRA) T3, 33:46.9
2.    Simon Schempp (GER) T0, +9.0
3.    Ivan Tcherezov (RUS) T1, +26.2
24. Tim Burke (USA) T3 +2:11.1
29. Brendan Green (CAN) T3, +2:25.1